When the switch was announced in early 2017, Costas said he had decided on his own that the time was right for a change. He said then he wanted to do long-form programming and commentary on special events, likening his new role to what former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw does for the network.

On Tuesday, Costas told the New York Post of his decision to leave NBC Sports, saying his departure was settled "quietly and happily for all concerned."

In August 2018, the paper reported that he was no longer satisfied with his role at NBC and a contract that limited his participation in other projects.